The Prospector: Senior Edition 2024

Manitou Springs star JoAnne Meury Garrison shares several generations of Manitou history

By: Morgan Flannery

JoAnne Meury Garrison was a graduate of MSHS in 1949, back before the high school had even been built, and all students in every grade attended school in the building that is now Manitou Springs Elementary School. She has seen Manitou Springs change from first making a name for itself through the spring water, to what it is today. Garrison came to MSHS to share Manitou Springs history and answer questions from the newspaper staff on Tue. Oct. 17, giving the Prospector a unique opportunity to meet someone who has seen MSHS change a lot over the course of her life.

In addition to being the Editor-In-Chief of the Prospector, Garrison was also the valedictorian of her graduating class and attended Colorado College on a scholarship. “She was very, very active in anything that was musical, she always participated in all the school plays,” Garrison’s daughter, Jenni Willuhn said. “She was everything but a cheerleader.”

Garrison grew up in the heart of downtown Manitou Springs, first on Lafayette Road, then on Midland Avenue, making for a convenient walk to school everyday. “We had to cross the railroad that came right along below Midland Avenue hauling the gold ore from Cripple Creek to the mill in Old Colorado City,” Garrison said.

As an editor, Garrison had more responsibility on the

newspaper staff than the rest, which gave her an unexpected outcome. “There was a young man who was a junior that year, and I was a senior. He was writing up the basketball stories and football stories. Since I was the editor, I didn’t necessarily have to accept what he wrote,” Garrison said. “He wasn’t very happy with me about that. It ended up when both of us graduated from high school that I married him. He’s the father of my kids.”

The days of physical newspapers are dwindling, the Prospector looks a lot different than it did 70 years ago. “We had to type everything up on a typewriter and make copies of it, then take it down to the Pikes Peak Bulletin newspaper office, where the editor there was Francis Graham, and she would take our copy of the weekly prospector and typeset it,” Garrison said. The Prospector used to be published this way biweekly.

Garrison’s father worked at the mineral water bottling plant at the bottom of Ute Pass, where he was selling lemonade when he met her mother who had come to Manitou (the name of the town didn’t change to Manitou Springs until 1935, and her father was the one who championed the change) during summers from Kansas to take advantage of the health benefits for asthma. “I grew up in Manitou Springs when the population in the winter was about 300 people,” Garrison said. Mani-

tou Springs was only open Memorial day through Labor day up until around the 1970’s.

“During the summer the population of Manitou Springs became about 3000 people.”

Manitou Springs has changed a lot since then. The current rivals in MSHS are Saint Mary’s and Woodland Park, but Garrison recalls the main rival used to be Cripple Creek. “The reason I remember Cripple Creek the most is because after every game we played with Cripple Creek, the boys would go out and fight after the game,” Garrison said.

Additionally, sports like basketball were only available to the boys, which they happened to play on the auditorium stage. Many people also wonder why the doors to the elementary school differentiate between boys and girls. “The girls played in one part of the park waiting for the bell to ring and the boys played separately. Boys and girls were more separated, even to the point of which door we came in,” Garrison said. “And part of the reason for that is when coming into the building, the coat closets and restrooms for boys and girls were separate.”

Garrison’s knowledge of Manitou Springs doesn’t just end at the school. She and her family have a wealth of information and pieces of Manitou

To the Class of 2024:

There’s not much that I can write that you all don’t already know. Our class has practically seen it all - from our high school education beginning through folds of a COVID desk barrier to our final steps being in just a few weeks, the unknown seems to be at our every corner.

Our high school experiences can mostly be summed up as unknown; however, I believe the unknown bonded our class together for the good. I know the bonds that we have created with each other helped to guide us all through the unknown. I know the strength of those bonds are almost unbreakable.

Springs culture. “The point where The Loop is, the traffic circle, there’s actually a vortex there from Ruxton Creek, Fountain Creek, all those creeks coming together right there,” Willuhn said. “The Indians way back centuries ago, knew about it and came to Manitou for the healing water.”

Garrison remains highly involved in the community, and even plans to ride in next year’s homecoming parade. “She’s the oldest one around and she’s still on Facebook, and of course, everything that happens with Manitou, she’s a champion of. She’s your biggest cheerleader, 92 years old and 4’8” and your biggest cheerleader,” Willuhn said.

Remember the people who stood with you during the unknown; those are your people. I am incredibly grateful to know that our class’s experiences with the unknown shaped us to leave a positive impact on those around us who are also experiencing the unknown alongside us. These last four years worth of unknowns have shaped us to go through the constant changes of life with strength and courage and will help us to continue to grow into kind and passionate individuals.

As we take these next steps into our future, whatever it may be, the unknown may seem intimidating to us; but we can’t take for granted the unknown and the impact it has had on us. The unknown has looked different for many of us across our time at MSHS. Each unknown is unique in its own way and

has built a foundation for the future for each and every one of us. Whether your unknown was entering into a math class you’ve never heard of or trying out for a sport you’ve never done, the unknown shaped who you are. If we are too afraid to venture into the unknown, we will never know the people we could have been if we had the courage to try.

I know we did not get to experience the freshman hike to Red Mountain; but as someone in the Student Council, I have done it many times. At the end of the hike, we read the incoming freshman “The Road Not Taken,” By Robert Frost. The poem talks about two paths and the struggle the narrator faces to choose which road to travel. One road is unknown and “less traveled by” while the other road is very traveled and seems to be the easier obvious

choice. Of course, this poem is symbolic of choosing the easy way or the easy road in life and getting a worse result instead of the harder way or the unknown road and it being worth it in the long run.

Although it goes without saying that having a normal freshman year with the hike would’ve made a positive difference for many of us, I think we learned this lesson without the push from the poem. I believe we conquered the unknown, and I hope we all continue to take the road that is less traveled, whether that means doing the right thing when it’s hard, putting in the extra effort even when it goes unnoticed, or always being there to help anyone who needs it. The choice to go down that path or the other path will be there. We just need to take the first step of courage to travel on the right one.

The unknown may be scary but I know we will choose the right path. Do what makes you happy. Be the best person you can. And choose kindness.

Thank you all for being there alongside me through the unknown. Thank you for all of your support through these years. Thanks for all the memories. Class of 2024… GO FIND YOUR UNKNOWN AND CONQUER IT!

Wishing you all the best. Good luck with your journey, whatever it may be, pick the right path. Till next time, Kate Johnson Student Body President 2023-2024

Charlotte Bundaarg

Amanda Kerrigan Editors of the Prospector pose with the former Editor-in-Chief of 1949, JoAnne Meury.

Everybody was once a beginner, and people will always doubt you no matter what you do, but don’t doubt yourself and don’t doubt your vision.

Andrew Slama

Advice from Class of ‘24 Advisors

As you venture out into this world, remember that life is not to be attacked by, but rather to be attacked. Establish your largest ambitions and wake up each morning with a burning desire to attack them!

Brandon DeMatto

As you move on to all that awaits you, remember those friends that you have at the time, and remember to take time to rest and have fun together. We all live life, but be sure that it is a good life, filled with memories worth living for.

Reg Hass

Make good choices!

Liz Tindall

Then & Now: The Class of 2024

Always been a Mustang...

32 members of the Class of 2024 have attended MSSD14 schools since preschool or kindergarten. They have grown up together and experienced the traditions of Manitou, like the annual Homecoming parade on Manitou Ave., yearly field days, walk-athons, walking field trips to visit local organizations and so much more.

If the door opens, walk in. Be open to new adventures, especially if they are out of your comfort zone.

Wendy Harms

Cassidy Blechman

Canon Feist

Boys soccer ends with an impressive season and a lasting brotherhood

By: Katelyn Fonkert

The boombox is blasting Kendrick Lamar in the bus as the soccer team gets hyped up for their game at Bayfield. With a team of 12 seniors, the want to make this season great is high.

“It’s super loud, and they all started playing it, and we’re just all like vibing into this,” Coach Ben Mack said. “We pulled up into the Bayfield parking lot, and everyone was just so hyped. All the windows were down. The Bayfield people were just looking at us, and the whole bus was just rocking, and everyone was just saying like, ‘hey, hey, hey’. We were just so amped up, and we’re kind of like a single mind at that point. Then we got off the bus and played one of our best games ever.”

The boys varsity soccer team this year has 12 senior players, making this year an interesting year to coach the team, but also easier.

“Most of them have been with the program for all four years, and so they kind of have an idea of what we want to try to accomplish and kind of what the daily routines are, how we want to attack practices. You know, the intensity with which we want to do it,” Mack said.

Having a team with older teens allows for there to be more emotional maturity when it comes to the game.

“The maturity level of dealing with young adults is different

than 14 and 15-year-old kids, so they’re able to handle a little bit more emotionally,” Mack said. “They’ve seen a lot in terms of game experience and stuff, and so they don’t tend to get as high or low during wins or losses. And they can kind of see the big picture and tend to not be quite as volatile or emotional.”

Leaving the team behind will be hard for many of the seniors.

“I played soccer all my life, so it’s gonna be sad walking away from this; but I’m also happy. It was a good four years and we’ve done a lot,” right back defender Ethan Beckum said.

Most of the team has played together since middle school and have built strong connections with each other.

“I’ve played with a lot of them since sixth grade, C team in middle school; so we built up connections all through high school and through middle school. And now to be finished all together, it’s just, you know,” front right forward Bowman Hall (12) said. “We all know each other so well, and it helps with chemistry and playing well.”

With the end of the soccer season and graduation approaching, Hall hopes to keep the friendships he has made over the past four years.

“We’re all gonna obviously

The MSHS soccer seniors celebrate at senior night. They tied 3 – 3 for their game against James Irwin.(Beck Enquist, Jordan Somogyi, Gavin Smith, Graham Beckum, Ethan Beckum, Austin Courson, Jason Jones, Deric French, Evan Yount, Lucas Peixoto Sundquist, Josh Patterson, Bowman Hall, Nick Schneider)

split our ways to go to college; but you know, maybe one time during the summer, we go kick the ball around at the soccer field and just bring back the memories,” Hall said.

The team has formed connections that will not be forgotten. “It’s more than just

soccer at this point. It’s got important friendships,” Hall said. “It’s like a brotherhood. You know we all show up, we all play our hardest, but in the end, win, lose, or tie we’re all still brothers. We all love each other.”

By: Ethan Anderson

Seniors Cody Kelley and Cody Wyman place at the Cross Country State Championships

By: Angela Rowe

In a display of athletic performance, two exceptional seniors, Cody Kelley and Cody Wyman, placed at state in the Colorado Cross Country State Championship, bringing excitement and inspiration to Manitou Springs High School.

State Championships were held at Norris Penrose Event Center, just down the road from where the MSHS cross country team runs every practice.

This was a demonstration of their hard work, talent and dedication, as placing at state is not an easy achievement.

“You realize that you know every workout that sucked every day that you didn’t want to go for a run was completely worth it,” Kelley said.

Head coach Andy Sherwood has been coaching cross country for 11 years although this is his third season at MSHS. He has coached Kelley and Wyman since their sophomore year.

“I love that it is a team sport where individual goals are also really important and attainable,” Sherwood said.

This success not only reflected their individual abilities but the strong guidance they received from coaches and teammates.

“I can run for an hour and talk with someone the entire time so you get to know people and they help keep you

going the whole run,” Wyman said.

Kelley has been running cross country with Manitou since seventh grade. Although this is Wyman’s second season participating, both seniors were shown to be outstanding athletes, placing second and seventh at competition.

“Not doing well is the hardest part because the feeling you get when you do really well in a race is just phenomenal, and to cap off a season with a second place finish. I mean, it’s all the hard work that you put in all the way since the end of track season really comes to fruition,” Kelley said.

The success from this competition can be credited to the dedication and mental strength the team put in during the season.

“We run a lot over the summer with Cody and Cody averaging 50 miles a week over the summer,” Sherwood said.

With intense training throughout the year, the team has built important mental strengths that have allowed them to learn crucial lessons.

“A facet of the racing is when you race and you don’t do as well as you think that’s definitely the hardest part because you kind of beat up on yourself yet in reality, people have bad days and the hardest part is accepting that,” Kelley said.

Cross Country is a tough sport that requires daily commitment, in which the seniors put in to prepare for the state championship.

“Everything you do is a strategy, like eating, sleeping, all that and even like, just like, you got to know how to hit your turns, if you want to get out fast and erase if you want to go slow, how hilly each mile is whether if you want to go faster the first mile slower first mile to save your energy,” Wyman said.

Along with daily commitment, the coaches played an important part as they encouraged the team and pushed them to achieve their goals that helped them believe they were able to compete.

“It’s really great to have them run so well on a big stage

and I know they will both be successful at the next level,” Sherwood said.

“It was a dream come true,” Kelley said.

The team raced their hearts out at state and coaches are extraordinarily proud of their accomplishments this season.

Tim Schneider

Rick Wyman

The Cross Country State Championships were held at Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs this year.

A final theater production for Class of 2024

By: Cordelia Portman

This spring, MSHS students will be putting on “The Snow” at the district auditorium. For a handful of seniors, this will be their final high school production.

Megan Taylor, a senior participating in the play this semester, began her theater career at a young age. She auditioned at a professional theater called Papermill Playhouse in Millburn New Jersey, which gained popularity for being the place “Newsies” opened before it was transferred to Broadway. “I auditioned to be young Fiona and Pinocchio in their professional production of “Shrek The Musical” and I didn’t get in, I decided I hated theater, I was never going to be in theater ever,” Taylor said. “And then I came to sixth grade and I saw my best friend Kai acting in a play, and I was like hey, I want to get to know that guy a little more.”

After being inspired to audition by Kai Jacobson (12), Taylor enjoyed the first production she played a role in. “I auditioned for my first play, it was really tough and the majority of the kids that auditioned were cut, but I was really lucky to get a minor character as a little girl with a stomach ache, which describes me very well,” Taylor said. “And then from that point onward, I just got hooked on theater.”

Taylor enjoys the process of building a production as a community, and the feeling like no other that strikes when the show begins.

“There’s really no other feeling than that adrenaline rush

when you get on stage and you can’t see anyone in the audience, there’s a bright light flashing down on you,” Taylor Said. “You really build a community every time you do a play and you foster an incredible project with an incredible group of people that you get to nurture for a few weeks or even several months at a time before you get to perform it all together.”

Taylor plans on studying theater in college, but wanted a final goodbye to Wendy Harms, the theater teacher at MSHS, and the theater community as a whole. “I really just wanted one last hurrah with Wendy and the wonderful people in the theater here because I absolutely love the community that we build here,” Taylor said. “I’ve been speaking to Ms. Harms about how I’m going to move on and do this in college and hopefully professionally, so being able to have this place where I started and knowing I’ll be doing new things, it’s really bittersweet.”

Along with Taylor, Ethan Anderson (12) will also be participating in the spring play.

His first performance was “Fiddler On The Roof”, during his sophomore year, which encouraged him to expand his social circle during a difficult time in his life. “When I first came into high school, I had a pretty bad social anxiety problem, I was having panic attacks pretty frequently. I joined Ms. Harms theater arts class, because I thought this would be good exposure therapy for

me,” Anderson said. “And it was then that I started theater, not just because I love it and I love the art of it, but also because it was really good for me to do things that were scary.”

Since Anderson is going to college for art, this will be a bittersweet moment. “This might be one of the last times I do theater, since I’m a senior, I would like to pursue it, but it’s not what I’m going to college for,” Anderson said.

Anderson enjoys the way that the community builds something great as a group, and in turn encourages everyone as individuals. “All of the hard work that you put in to make something beautiful, and all the friends that you make, that’s kind of addicting for me,” Anderson said. “When you’re on the stage, and everything just goes perfectly and you have this moment of realization, thinking oh my god, I can do really cool stuff.”

Additionally, Jacobson feels that theater has always been a big part of his life. Even at a young age, he showed his passion for theater to his par-

ents. “I’ve done theater since I was four, I would do little performances for my parents all the time, I would perform homemade musicals, I would write little plays, I would always do that,” Jacobson said. “So in elementary school I did the fifth grade play, which was “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, and that’s when I found my passion for theater.”

Jacobson has been committed to his theater career throughout high school, and is excited that his final high school production will be “The Snow”. “In high school I did all the plays I could do freshman year until now and this is the last play, and it’s my favorite playwright,” Jacobson said. “I did one of his plays a couple years ago and we won first place at the regionals and now we’re doing another one of his plays and I think it’s a good final goodbye to theater at Manitou.”

Jacobson thinks that theater can bring a story to life. “I think it’s a really amazing form of storytelling, that brings the story to life like a movie would, but it’s more personal and feels like you’re actually there with the story.”

“Pensive” by Ethan Anderson

Untitled by Brooklyn Oursler

Untitled by Julianna Wiezorek

Untitled by Emily G. Davis

Cordelia Portman

Beket Wendell-Evans, Isaac Boczkiewicz and Meghan Taylor run the script for the spring play for practice at MSHS on Mar. 6. The first rehearsal was on Mar. 5.

seen that, and the artistic element, and the music of theater, and all of that has always just been so pretty to me.”

Jacobson also enjoys the community he has found in the MSHS theater depart-

ment. “I’ve realized that the community in theater is just so great and a lot of schools don’t have such a welcoming and joyful theater community that Manitou has,” Jacobson said. “I think it’s really great that we have such a welcom-

ing and kind community that lets anybody into it, and has very little to no drama.”

Jacobson is going to college for theater, acting, or musical theater. “I’m excited to move on to do theater with new

people and new directors, and in a new space,” Jacobson said. “For the last seven years I’ve done every single one of my plays in the exact same theater and I’m excited to move on, but also a little sad that this is the last one.”

Kate Johnson breaks barriers as a female football kicker

The Manitou Springs High School football team’s kicker

Kate Johnson (12), is continuing history in Manitou by being the third female kicker for the Mustangs varsity football team.

Johnson began playing football her junior year in search of a good team community after leaving the volleyball team due to her loss of interest in the sport. “I didn’t feel very connected to volleyball as a sport,” Johnson said. “The team morale was not what I was looking for, and I felt like football could give me a better community.”

Johnson said that the switch to football was not an easy one, but her connection to people on the team helped her feel more included. “I was lucky enough to have already been friends with a lot of people on the team, which made the transition much easier for me,” Johnson said. “Sometimes it can be really hard to be on the team, but it’s super rewarding at the end of the day.”

Not only have her teammates helped her feel included, but the coaches have helped her build up confidence in football over the years and helped her meet her goals. “I thought that transition was going to be really awkward, especially

me being the only girl on the team; but I felt very, very included by all of the coaches,”Johnson said. “A lot of them go out of their way to make me feel comfortable and make me feel included.”

One of Johnson’s favorite memories with head football coach, Stuart Jeck, was after she scored her first point after. “After I scored my first point after, I was running off the sidelines, and I was out of it because I was super excited; and Coach Jeck came up to me and held my shoulder pads,” Johnson said. “And he said, “I want you to know that I’m so proud of you and you’re doing so well, big congrats.’ It was that moment that was so important to me.”

In the 2022-2023 girls basketball season Johnson, a three sport athlete, tore her ACL causing her to be out for the soccer season. She had to completely rehab over the summer to be able to kick for her senior season.

“Tearing my ACL was brutal. The first few weeks I had a really hard time kicking the ball because of the direction I went with my ACL. I chose to use a quad graft to replace my ACL which means that I lost all strength in my quad which is rough for kicking,” Johnson said. “I spent about six months trying to get that

By: MaKenzi VerVaecke

back, which was really just a really frustrating process.”

Johnson struggled with her confidence at the beginning of the 2023-2024 football season due to her knee injury.

“I think this year the most impact my injury has had is just boosting my confidence coming back after the injury.

This season it’s been a huge confidence builder seeing that I can do things that I used to do before my injury,” Johnson said. “Like knowing that I can throw my knee at a ball as fast

as I can, and it’s going to be okay.”

Although Johnson has a lot of pressure on her for being the only female on a traditionally all male team, she encourages other girls to try football if they are interested in playing. “There will be a lot of pressure if any girl does it, so you have to have a very strong mentality,” Johnson said. “And there will be some hard days, but in the end, it’s very rewarding.”

Untitled by Rain Malmin

“Arctic Penguins” by Thea King-

“Bias” by Llilawyn Turren-

MaKenzi VerVaecke

Kate Johnson and Nate Gentzel(12) practice point after touchdown attempts at the end of practice.

Meghan Taylor authors Colorado bill on non-legal name changes

By: Dalton Gates

Manitou Springs Senior Meghan Taylor created, proposed and contributed to two bills (HB24-1039: Non-Legal Name Changes & HB24–1040: Gender-Affirming Health-Care Provider Study) with fellow Colorado Youth Advisory Council members over this last year.

The COYAC was created in 2008 after Colorado State Representative Ellen Roberts introduced HB08-1157 to better “examine, evaluate and discuss the issues, interests, and needs affecting Colorado youth now and in the future, and to formally advise and make recommendations to elected officials regarding those issues,” as it says on the COYAC website.

Taylor’s two years as a COYAC board member have led to these bills and other positional highlights such as being the small group leader in charge of welcoming prospective members, a cultural leader often in charge of setting the tone and opening-remarks, COYAC’s and the Colorado Suicide Prevention Commitee’s youngest representative and co-chair of the Youth-Specific Initiatives Workgroup all while still in her senior year of high school, which can be overwhelming for her.

“I’m still just a senior with senioritis trying to get through the school year,” Taylor said. “I went to the Capital, I defended my bill for two hours, then I went to school the next day. And I was just like, ‘Oh my God, I didn’t do my

chemistry

homework.’”

Though both bills had her hand in the making, she had control over HB24-1039: Non-Legal Name Changes as the main writer for this bill.

“It is for anyone between the ages of 12 and 17, in a public or charter school in the state of Colorado, if they wish to have a non-legal name change to their school,” Taylor said. “So with the policies of the task force being put in place, a student wishing to have an illegal name change would not be required to tell their parents about it due to a lot of things, mostly fear of retaliation from parents against students that could become violent, especially as it affects LGBTQ+ students.”

In a committee meeting with other members of COYAC tobegin drafting their articles, they discussed current events and policies that were important to them and brainstormed. “The idea for nonlegal name changes came and policies that were important to them and brainstormed. “The idea for nonlegal name changes came because of a student who attempted to have their name legally changed through the school and was unsuccessful until they got a teacher to help them through the process,” Taylor said. “It was still a really difficult process for them to go through, and that really just inspired me when I joined this gender affirming care bill HB24-1040. Is it something that we could standardize and make avail

members

the Colorado House of Representatives after the hearing of HB24-1039: Non-Legal Name Changes and HB24-1040: Gender-Affirming Health-Care Provider Study. “The bills were drafted all of the legal language was put down by the Legislative Council, because our job as COYAC members, is really to create proposals of things that we see you going through our job is not to write the legal language because, unfortunately, something that the COYAC director has reminded me many times,” Taylor said. “When I called her at like 9:30pm asking her for help was ‘Meghan you do not have a law degree’. Unfortunately, I do not. I’m still in high school. It’s really a pain. I wish I did.”

able to all students so that they don’t have to struggle the same way that he did, and make the process easier overall.”

After the publishing of the work and heading to sessions at both the Colorado House of Representatives and Colorado Senate, the bill received massive media attention from places like Colorado Newsline, The Colorado Sun, KDVR, CPR, and Fox News, presenting many different beliefs regarding the bill. Making it past the first step, the bill and Taylor moved forward to the next: presenting the bill to the Colorado House of Representatives, which included going through the session, making amendments and listening to

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Ethan Anderson - Sports Medic

Margot Ane’ - Restaurant Worker

Anna Apotheker - Dolphin Trainer

Chloe Arnoldussen - Veterinarian

Elsa Baker - Dog Hairstylist

Ethan Beckum - Fire Fighter

Cassidy Blechman - Veterinarian

Bryan Bourgeouis - Forensic Scientist

Liam Bowie - Marine Biologist

Jack Boyd - Police Officer

Jeffery Byrd - Electrician

Connor Cassidy - Electrical Engineer

Victoria Choate - Engineer

Will Cittadino - Police Officer

Jack Clifford - Pro Skier

Stiles Cluxton - Spaceman

Quinn Corey - Lawyer

Austin Courson - Pro Hockey Player

Emily G. Davis - Lawyer

Bradyn Dowling - Hippo Trainer

Gaia Drotar - Help People

Sierra Dunlap - Veterinarian

Beck Enquist - MLB Player

Izzy Erickson - Veterinarian

Cannon Feist - MLB Player

Petra Figueroa - Astronomer

Morgan Flannery - Teacher

Katelyn Fonkert - Teacher

public testimonies.

“Every single public testimony was not only against bills in COYAC, but they were very specifically against my bills. I was called a ‘groomer’. I was called a ‘deceitful liar’. I was told that this is violent against parents. I was told that I am forcing children to come out, that I was forcing children to transition, that this bill would force teachers to or that this bill would allow teachers to force transition on students,” Taylor said. “I would just like to say that that’s not going to happen. This bill is really just about love and equality and hope for transgender and gender diverse students who feel like there’s not a lot of hope left for them.”

Rain Malmin - Broncos Cheerleader

Braelyn Maniates - Zendaya

Rowan McCardie - Zoo Keeper

Dylan McVerry-Reese - Astronaut

Hannah Mellinkoff - Marine Biologist

McKinley Milliron - Veterinarian

Jeremy Morisset-Everly - Doctor

Anya Nelsestuen - Pixar Animator

Donovan Ornelas - NFL Player

Brooklyn Oursler - Marine Biologist

Rakshit Parmar - Musician

Josh Patterson -Astro Physicist

Lucas Peixoto Sundquist - Doctor

Ashton Perry - Scientist

Connor Perry - Millionaire

Evelynn Ramos - Veterinarian

McKesson Rhodes - Ballerina

Genaro Roldan - Police Officer

Angela Rowe - Detective

Jayson Saucedo - AT Teen Titan

Nick Schneider - Astronaut

Josiah Schwartz - Food

Cole Sinclair - Kyle Bush

Gavin Smith - Pro Clash Royale Player

Jordan Somogyi - Astronaut

Gage Stout -Astronautical Engineer

Seth Stutzman - Artist

Meghan Taylor - Pastry Chef

Sam Fournier - NBA Player

Maggie Franklund - Marine Biologist

Deric French - Astronaut

Khristian Sanders - Spider-Man

Dalton Gates - Film Director/Writer

Bennett Gauvin - Olympic Athlete

Nate Gentzel - Pro Baseball Player

Devlyn Golembesky - Cowgirl

Hallen Haile - Pro NFL Player

Bowman Hall - Train Conductor

Kiera Heffler - Doctor

Kai Jacobson - Actor

Liz Johnson - Environmental Engineer

Kate Johnson - Doctor

LilyAnne Johnson - Veterinarian

Ivory Johnson-Ragan - Life Guard

Jason Jones - Actor

Cody Kelley - Firefighter

Cadence Kelsch - Cardiothoracic Surgeon

Thea Kingman - Ballerina

Jake Thomson - Secret Service Agent

Hailey Troxell - Astronaut

Lililawyn Turrentine - Astronomer

Even Waldo - Superhero

Jazmyn Webb-Everly - Dancer

Julianna Wiezorek - Teacher

Will Wray - Astronomer

Cody Wyman - Rollarcoaster Designer

Zaure Yerzhan - Newscaster

Evan Yount - Pro Athlete

Lukas Kotopoulos - Dinosaur Museum Attendant

Zayden Lee - Zoologist

Afton Lindner - Pro Lego Builder

Aislynn Lindner - Veterinarian

Cadence Magruder - Marine Biologist

Seniors who didn’t respond: Graham Beckum

Emily R. Davis

Sebastian Crover

Jacob DeSmidt

Griffin Hoaglund

Camden Jacobson

Aspen McGill

Aiden Snow

Susan Taylor

Meghan Taylor (12) celebrates with the rest of the COYAC

in

However, these testimonies did not stop this bill and after after the run and pass at the Colorado House of Representatives on March 1, it moved forward in the process to the Senate in April and one step closer to being passed in the State of Colorado.

Although Taylor faced backlash during public testimony on her bill, she also experienced support. “I made some friends while I was there. I met someone from the American Civil Liberties Union and someone from Planned Parenthood, who were representatives from those organizations that had come to support the bill,” Taylor said. “It was really great to hear people from that big organi-

zation saying that they were so proud of the work that I had done.”

Fellow COYAC representative and member, Leigh Schimdt, has worked in COYAC with Taylor since her arrival. “Meghan has been vital to COYAC’s work over the last two years. She has brought invaluable knowledge and personal experiences to our work and has taught me so much about connecting with people and bringing energy and enthusiasm to every meeting,” Schmidt said. “I admire Meghan’s willingness to learn and ask questions –she has grown so much since I’ve known her through her curiosity about issues and government.”

COYAC Director Sarah Moss has been beside Taylor the whole way, from her introduction to her soon graduation. “Meghan is thoughtful and caring. Her sense of humor helps break the ice with both her peers and legislators. She demonstrates mature self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and communication,” Moss said. “In an organization full of teenagers who are learning about the legislative process for the first time, Meghan makes COYAC more welcoming and connected when she openly acknowledges her own excitement, fear, overwhelm, or readiness to help more.”

As the Colorado Senate

passed the bill on April 1, with a signing of the bill by Governor Jared Polis on April 29 and move forward to the estimated prospects of a summer signing for the bill. But the fall implementation of the next school year isn’t the only mark she’s leaving. “The term ‘chosen name’ is not was not a legal definition in the state of Colorado before this bill. So I added a term in the legal dictionary, which is crazy. That happened,” Taylor said. “I’m just insanely grateful for all the opportunities and I’m very sad that with my graduation I will also be leaving this post but I wouldn’t trade it for the anything. I’m very, very excited to see what comes next.”

Cluxton jumpstarts his automotive career

By: Angela Rowe

Senior Stiles Cluxton has taken the opportunity to learn about vehicle mechanics as part of his high school experience. He enrolled in the Career Start program that is offered through Pikes Peak State College his junior year, giving him the chance to get ahead of the game.

Cluxton enjoys the thought of getting out of the typical school day and took advantage of getting to spend his day learning about something he found interesting. “I like being outside of school, it is what I do for work and what I do for a living so having more people in the industry teaching me is helpful,” Cluxton said.

Automotives run in the family, spiraling Cluxton’s interest and motivating him to one day inherit his stepfather’s company. “Right now,

I’m learning how to run the books, do the front desk, and be the big man, although that’s what’s difficult for me,” Cluxton said.

Cluxton attends the class during the first two blocks of a school day at Pikes Peak State College. This program gives him the opportunity to learn new skills and deepen his understanding on vehicle service. “I get to wake up a little later in the morning, get out of school for a couple of hours to do something I enjoy, and the school pays for it as long as I keep my grades and attendance up,” Cluxton said.

The Career Start program is open to all juniors and seniors who are on track to graduate.“Our previous counselor had talked to me about

it and it seemed like a really

Students come together to celebrate Prom

By: Dalton Gates, Morgan Flannery and Katelyn Fonkert

Prom night for the Mustangs was held on Apr. 26, 2024 at The Craftwood Inn in Manitou Springs, CO. The theme for the evening was “Mamma Mia,” a reference to the 2001 Broadway musical and 2008 film, both set in Greece. An assortment of food and beverages were available, including a fully stocked mocktail bar and a taco bar. The Craftwood was the perfect choice, nestled in the Manitou foothills with a cozy, cottage feel. Additionally, the night even an area outside with cornhole for Mustangs wanting to step away from the music and enjoy some fresh air.

good plan,” Cluxton said. He plans to go into the automotive field right after high school, so Career Start was a great opportunity to gain experience and knowledge.

The Career Start Program was made to give students an opportunity to go straight into the workforce after graduating. “College is not for everybody, but having a plan

is,” Trainor said. “If it’s an apprenticeship or a certification, we want to prepare students for the future.”

Cluxton enjoys the opportunity to attend the Career Start Auto Service Tech II program, as it is a topic he takes interest in and plans to pursue in the future, giving him the chance to connect with others his age and up, building lifelong friendships.

The crowns for Prom King and Queen were given to seniors Kate Johnson and Brayden Dowling. The evening was filled with lots of energy, music and even a few backflips. At the end of the evening, the seniors gathered with arms around each other for a final moment together to sing “Home” by Phillip Phillips.

Sam Fournier

Students dance on the small upper level dance floor. The floor shook as students jumped.

Dalton Gates

“The Prom was very high energy,” Katelyn Fonkert said. “Way more hype than last year.”

Dalton Gates

Kate Johnson (12) and Bradlyn Dowling (12) pronounced Prom Queen and King.

Brooklyn Oursler

Brooklyn Oursler (12) and Thea Kingman (12) drinking some ‘Dynamo’ Mocktails.

Lilliy Nice

Stiles Cluxton (12) excited to begin his life in the real world upon graduating MSHS and finishing the career start program.

Significant Special Needs students create spa product company

By: Halli Frost

Manitou Springs High School

strives to provide crucial enrichment activities for significant support needs students.

Over the past 10 years, since special education teacher

Jill McCracken started the tradition, SSN students have participated in learning how to hand-make spa products.

“A lot of these kids don’t want to go to college or won’t for various reasons, so giving them something they can do here that they could take with them is part of what we provide,” McCracken said.

The SSN program over the years has worked to still make projects as student-led as possible, regardless of mobility limitations. Students create the company name, this year it is Club Manitou, and help to design the product labels.

“We print labels for them and they would design them so that the project was their own, and just get them involved in the process of choosing which products to make,” McCracken said.

The students working on these projects this year have focused on sugar scrub, body butter, bath bombs and bath fizz.

Ethan Anderson to attend MCAD to pursue the Arts

By: Jack Boyd and Dalton Gates

The students work in collaboration with the School to Work Alliance Program. in our significant needs program. “Our students were able to use a variety of assistive technology devices to participate to the fullest extent in measuring, pouring, and mixing ingredients,” Lamoreaux said.

The students work together to create the perfect set of spa products every year, and they all have personal preferences. Jazmyn Webb-Everly (12) said that her favorite spa product is the “bath bombs”, and her favorite part about making them is “using the switches to mix the products.”

Other than the technical side of things, some students love to just take in the smells and sensations of the spa products. SSN student Austin Durham (10) said that he enjoys “smelling the essential oils”, and his favorite spa product that they make is “body butter”.

Paraprofessionals Izabeth Mumford and Talor Goodloe are pleased that they get to create adaptive technology to help students fully participate in the making of the prod

“Products are sold to staff during two yearly sales. One sale happens before winter break, the other in late April for Mother’s Day,” SSN teacher Megan Lamoreaux said. “Any leftover products are sold by students during the Woodland Park Farmer’s Market during the summer.” All proceeds go to support the continuation of the program.

ucts, while also learning the business side of things.

“Work experience is something a lot of high school students have the opportunity to do independently, but for this group of students, they need additional support and something that is able to be adapted,” Lamoreaux said.

The paraprofessionals who tend to care for these students notice how excited students get to make these products for other people, and how much this experience means to these kids. SSN student Jeremy Webb-Everly (12) knows the process of making the spa products by heart.

“First, get out the ingredients, next, mix the ingredients, then, package the product, and lastly, sell the product,”

Jeremy Webb-Everly said.

As this tradition continues and is passed on from generation to the next, SSN teachers and paraprofessionals will strive to keep creating new adaptive ways to help their students fully participate in the making of products and running of a business.

“I love seeing how excited the students get while making everything and seeing the finished products,” Izabeth Mumford said.

As the 2024 school year draws to a close, Ethan Anderson (12) has reflected on his last 4 years at Manitou and how he has spent that time fueling his various passions, one of which being the creative arts. Students of MSHS will recognize Anderson as a bright and cheerful peer of artistic talent, and may harken back to various displays of his art in the SILC building over the past years.

Now that Anderson’s high school years are coming to an end, his current plan is to attend the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) and further hone his skill and passion for creation.

Anderson has had a long history with art, both in life and in MSHS in particular, and has expressed his passion for the subject through many art pieces, for instance a particular animated piece done by carving each frame of animation out of material. “I animated a walk cycle,” Anderson said. “It’s eight frames long, and I carved all eight of those frames onto linoleum and then printed them so it’s like a stop motion with prints that I made.”

Anderson hopes that his passion for creative arts is matched by his next school. “I had a few criteria for choosing a college,” Anderson said. “The first is that I am a very very good artist and in order for college to be worthwhile for me, I have to go to a very good art school.”

Anderson narrows the search for schools through the need for an arts focused college that is progressive and in a safe location.

“Location was actually the main thing for me,” Anderson said. “I’m very picky about where I want to live, so I couldn’t do anywhere in the South, And I couldn’t do any states that aren’t trans friendly, which narrows it down more than you’d think.”

With Anderson’s college narrowed down, he kept continuing the work needed for the portfolio and preparation to attend in the fall. And as this future draws closer, Anderson’s mother Cindy Anderson expresses her excitement with MCAD and Anderson’s future.

“I am so proud of Ethan and his hard work that earned him a scholarship and acceptance into MCAD,” Cindy Anderson said. “I think he is going to have so many amazing opportunities and I can’t wait to see where life takes him.”

Ethan Anderson has received $92,000 towards a future at MCAD across all four years. “When I was admitted, they informed me that I had won the highest possible base merit scholarship,” Anderson said. Anderson’s passions for the

arts naturally grants him a close relationship with his teacher Erin Gocinski, one of MSHS’s art teachers. Anderson has taken several arts classes with Gocinski at the helm across high years at Manitou Springs, from painting to drawing, and capping off his high school years with an independent study.

“Ethan is such an incredible person who is so beautifully authentic,” Gocinski said. “It has been a pleasure and honor to be alongside him as he’s grown up these past 4 years.”

MCAD describes their school on their website as “Offering a transformative education open to all backgrounds, MCAD gets you ready to confidently lead and practice in an ever-evolving world. It’s where students find their personal and professional purpose as creative leaders.”

“I do have all of these, separate interests,” Anderson said.

“I’m a creature of comfort. So I knew it would be nice to go to a college that I sort of have spent time at before.”

Anderson has a hopeful attitude regarding his future after attending MCAD during an on-campus summer program for Animation before his Junior-Year. Going into an artistic and creative field, he looks forward to how MCAD can assist him in his future goals.

“There’s this one artist out there, Alberto Mieglo, he kind of has this thing where he will move all around the world, and stay somewhere for a few years and then bounce around,” Anderson said. “He’ll go on for an art directing project and then leave it and do his own thing for a while and then do another project and then do his own thing. And that’s the dream.”

Halli Frost

Jazmyn Webb-Everly (12), Austin Durham (10) and Jeremy Webb-Everly (12) make spa products for Club Manitou.

Jack Boyd Ethan Anderson (12) stands beside several of his art pieces on display outside of Erin Gocinski’s room in the SILC building. He made the piece on the top left, titled “Pensive”, with charcoal.